Ulipristal acetate tablets

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical tablet for oral administration comprising ulipristal acetate together with the following excipients: at least one diluent in an amount of 50 to 98.5 wt %, at least one binding agent in an amount of 0 to 10 wt %, at least one disintegrating agent in an amount of 0.5 to 10 wt %, and at least one lubricant in an amount of 0 to 10 wt %.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/185,508 filed Jun. 17, 2016, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/255,426 filed Apr. 17, 2014, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/140,219 filed Dec. 7, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,735,380, which is a 371 U.S. National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2009/066652 filed Dec. 8, 2009, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/329,865 filed Dec. 8, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,512,745.

The present invention relates to a ulipristal acetate tablet for oral administration, as well as to the manufacture and uses thereof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Ulipristal acetate, formerly known as CDB-2914, designates within the context of this application 17α-acetoxy-11β-[4-N,N-dimethylamino-phenyl)-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione, represented by formula I:

Ulipristal acetate, and methods for its preparation, are described e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,954,490; 5,073,548, and 5,929,262, as well as in international patent applications WO2004/065405 and WO2004/078709.

Ulipristal acetate possesses antiprogestational and antiglucocorticoidal activity, and has been proposed for contraception, in particular for emergency contraception, and for the therapy of various hormonal diseases. Properties of this compound are further described in Blithe et al, Steroids. 2003 68(10-13):1013-7. So far, clinical trials have been conducted using oral capsules of ulipristal acetate (Creinin et al, Obstetrics & Gynecology 2006; 108:1089-1097; Levens et al, Obstet Gynecol. 2008, 111(5):1129-36). In order to increase the properties and clinical benefit of this molecule, there is a need for improved formulations thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel formulations of ulipristal acetate. More specifically, the invention relates to particular oral tablets of micronized ulipristal acetate. The inventors have now shown that the bioavailability, and hence the efficiency of ulipristal acetate, can be enhanced when formulating ulipristal acetate as a tablet under particular conditions. More specifically, the inventors have conducted many tests and discovered that the properties of ulipristal acetate can be improved when this compound is formulated as an oral tablet using particular types and amounts of excipients.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical tablet for oral administration, comprising ulipristal acetate in an amount of 1 to 18 wt %, together with the following excipients: a diluent in an amount of 50 to 98.5 wt %, a binding agent in an amount of 0 to 10 wt %, a disintegrating agent in an amount of 0.5 to 10 wt %, and a lubricant in an amount of 0 to 10 wt %.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical tablet for oral administration, comprising ulipristal acetate in an amount of 3 to 18 wt %, together with the following excipients: a diluent in an amount of 60 to 95 wt %, a binding agent in an amount of 0 to 10 wt %, a disintegrating agent in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, and a lubricant in an amount of 0 to 5 wt %.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical tablet for oral administration, comprising ulipristal acetate in an amount of 3 to 18 wt %, together with the following excipients: a diluent in a total amount of 60 to 95 wt %, croscarmellose sodium in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, and a lubricant in a total amount of 0 to 5 wt %.

In a yet preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical tablet for oral administration, comprising ulipristal acetate in an amount of 3 to 18 wt %, together with the following excipients: a diluent in an amount of 60 to 95 wt %, a binding agent in an amount of 0 to 10 wt % (preferably 1 to 10 wt %), croscarmellose sodium in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, and magnesium stearate in an amount of 0 to 5 wt %.

Surprisingly, the inventors have shown that a micronized ulipristal acetate formulation according to the present invention exhibits not only very good pharmacotechnical characteristics (in particular hardness, friability, stability) for the manufacturing of the tablet, but also provides a substantially improved dissolution profile for ulipristal acetate.

According to preferred embodiments, the formulation comprises 10% wt ulipristal acetate and is designed to contain from 5 to 50 mg ulipristal acetate.

A further object of this invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ulipristal acetate tablet, the method comprising mixing the above ingredients and ulipristal acetate and forming a tablet.

A further object of this invention resides in a method of contraception comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a tablet of this invention.

A further object of this invention is a ulipristal acetate tablet as defined above as a contraceptive.

A preferred object of this invention is a ulipristal acetate tablet as defined above, for emergency contraception.

A further object of this invention resides in a method of treating a hormonal disease, such as uterine leiomyoma, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a tablet of this invention.

A further object of this invention is a ulipristal acetate tablet as defined above as a drug for treating a hormonal disease

LEGEND TO THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Mean (±S.D) plasma concentration versus time profiles of ulipristal acetate on linear and log-linear scale. Comparison of the collected data from the tablet comprising 10 mg ulipristal acetate versus the capsule containing 10 mg ulipristal acetate in 120 mg microcrystalline cellulose.

X-axis: time in hours

Y-axis: Concentration of ulipristal acetate measured in the plasma in ng/mL.

The concentration of ulipristal acetate was measured using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection LC-MS/MS, with a validated calibration range in between 0.100-20.0 ng/mL. The sample was later re-assayed using the non specific radioimmunoassay RIA Bioqual Inc.

FIG. 2. Dissolution profile of a tablet comprising 30 mg ulipristal acetate, with the following excipients: lactose monohydrate 79 wt %, povidone 5 wt %, croscarmellose sodium 5 wt % and magnesium stearate 1 wt %.

X-axis: time in minutes

Y-axis: % dissolved composition

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel formulations of ulipristal acetate having improved properties. As disclosed above, the invention relates to oral tablets comprising ulipristal acetate combined with particular types and amounts of excipients, namely:

-   -   a diluent,     -   optionally a binding agent,     -   a disintegrating agent, and     -   a lubricant.

The term <<a diluent>> means that one diluent or a mixture of several diluents may be used. Similarly, the term <<a disintegrant>> means that one disintegrant or a mixture of several disintegrants may be used. The term <<a binding agent>> means that one binding agent or a mixture of several binding agents may be used. The term “a lubricant” means that one lubricant or a mixture of several lubricants may be used. Unless otherwise specified, the term “a diluent in an amount of” is therefore synonym to “at least one diluent in a total amount of”. The term “a disintegrant in an amount of” is therefore synonym to “at least one disintegrant in a total amount of”. The term “a binding agent in an amount of” is therefore synonym to “at least one binding agents in a total amount of”. The term “a lubricant in an amount of” is therefore synonym to “at least one lubricant in a total amount of”.

As illustrated in the experimental section, the selected excipients allow obtaining of granules having good processing properties (compressibility, flowability) and tablets with improved pharmacotechnical properties: good hardness range, low friability and rapid disintegration.

Proportions of Ingredients:

The tablets of this invention comprise:

-   -   ulipristal acetate in an amount of 3 to 18 wt %, preferably 5 to         15 wt %, even more preferably 8-12 wt %, together with the         following excipients:     -   a diluent in an amount of 50 to 98.5 wt %, preferably 60 to 95         wt %, more preferably 65 to 92 wt %, yet even more preferably         70-85 wt %;     -   a binding agent in an amount of 0 to 10 wt %, preferably 1 to 10         wt %, more preferably 1.5 to 8.5 wt %,     -   a disintegrating agent, such as e.g. croscarmellose sodium, in         an amount of 0.5 to 10 wt %, preferably 1 to 10 wt %, more         preferably 1.5 to 8.5 wt %, and     -   a lubricant, such as e.g. magnesium stearate, in an amount of 0         to 5 wt %, preferably 0.5 to 4 wt %.

The term ‘wt %’ denotes an amount by weight, as a percentage of the total weight of the composition. The total percentage of the ingredients in a tablet adds up to 100.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises from 5-15 wt % of ulipristal acetate, even more preferably from 8-12 wt %, more preferably about 10 wt %.

A preferred composition of this invention comprises:

-   -   ulipristal acetate in an amount of 5-15 wt %; preferably 8-12 wt         %, more preferably about 10%,     -   a diluent in an amount of 65 to 92 wt %,     -   a binding agent in an amount of 0 to 10 wt %, preferably 1 to 10         wt %,     -   croscarmellose sodium in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, and     -   magnesium stearate in an amount of 0.5 to 5 wt %,         the total of the percentage of the above ingredients in the         tablet being 100.

In specific embodiments, ulipristal acetate is used in a dosage of 1 to 50 mg per tablet, preferably 5 to 30 mg, particularly 10 or 30 mg.

As disclosed in the experimental section, these relative amounts lead to tablets that are adapted to provide improved properties for ulipristal acetate. In particular, the results presented show that the use of a tablet vs a capsule improves bioavailability, and that the particular ratios of excipients and micronization as defined in the claims improves the dissolution profile.

Diluents:

The diluents may be selected from any pharmaceutically acceptable agents or combinations of agents that increase the bulk quantity of ulipristal acetate so that production of a compressed tablet of practical size is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the diluent(s) is(are) selected from the group consisting of appropriate salts, monosaccharides, disaccharides, derivative polyols of monosaccharides and hydrates thereof. The term ‘derivative polyols of monosaccharides’ stands for sugar alcohols such as mannitol, xylitol or sorbitol.

Preferably the diluent(s) is(are) selected from the group consisting of calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate and mannitol. For instance, studies were conducted by applicant to evaluate the effect of several distinct diluents on the tablet. Different batches were tested to assess the relative efficiency of the diluents. After addition of croscarmellose 5 wt % and magnesium stearate 1 wt %, compositions with lactose monohydrate or mannitol, 70 to 85 wt %, led to tablets with excellent appearance, compression and flowability properties.

Yet preferably, the diluent(s) is(are) selected from lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, and mannitol.

In a most preferred embodiment, the diluent is lactose monohydrate is an amount of 65 to 92 wt %, more preferably 70-85 wt %.

Preferably the ratio of diluents:other excipients (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 5 to about 25, preferably from about 7 to about 18, yet preferably from about 7 to about 12.

Preferably the ratio of diluents:ulipristal acetate (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 5 to about 40.

When a binding agent is present in the tablet, the ratio of diluents:binding agents (wt %:wt %) preferably ranges from about 10 to about 20.

Preferably the ratio of diluents:disintegrating agents (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 10 to about 80

Preferably the ratio of diluents:lubricants (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 20 to about 90.

Binding Agents:

When present, the binding agents, or binders, may be selected from any pharmaceutically acceptable agents (or combinations of agents) which impart cohesive qualities to powdered materials. The binding agents may be selected from starch, gelatin, sugars such as cellulose derivatives (including hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose), and natural and synthetic gums (e.g., alginates) may be used.

Advantageously, a binding agent of the tablet according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of polymers. The binding agent may be a natural polymer material such as polysaccharide, or a synthetic polymer such as a plastic polymer. Preferably, the binding agent is hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and/or povidone.

For example, different tablets comprising 1 to 20 wt % of different binding agents (e.g., povidone, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose or maize starch) were manufactured by wet granulation as described below. Based on these tests, a relative amount of 1-10 wt % binding agent was retained as certain granules obtained with other amounts could not stand the drying step (formation of powder) and/or had lower dissolution profiles. Povidone or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose gave the best results in that they enabled to obtain granules whatever diluents used (lactose monohydrate or mannitol at 70 to 85 wt %). Povidone is particularly preferred since very hard and homogeneous granules were obtained with povidone, which could easily stand the drying step.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the binding agent is or comprises povidone, preferably 1.5% to 8.5 wt % of povidone, even more preferably between 3-7 wt %, most preferably about 5 wt % povidone.

Preferably the ratio of binding agents:other excipients (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.025 to about 0.075.

Preferably the ratio of binding agents:ulipristal acetate (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.25 to about 0.75.

Preferably the ratio of binding agents:disintegrating agents (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.5.

Preferably the ratio of binding agents:lubricants (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 3 to about 7.

Disintegrating Agents:

The present tablets comprise at least one disintegrant which, e.g., facilitates break-up of the tablet.

Disintegrating agents may be selected from maize starch, alginic acid and croscarmellose sodium. For example, croscarmellose sodium may be used alone or in combination with other disintegrants, preferably alone.

The experiments performed by applicant have shown that croscarmellose sodium, when used in combination with the other ingredients of the present invention, allows to reduce the disintegration time and to keep good pharmacotechnical characteristics when present in an amount of 0.5 to 10 wt/%, preferably 1 to 10 wt/%, yet preferably 1.5 to 8.5 wt %, and more preferably 4.5 to 5.5 wt %, or even more preferably about 5 wt %.

Preferably the ratio of disintegrating agents:other excipients (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.005 to about 0.1.

Preferably the ratio of disintegrating agents:ulipristal acetate (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.25 to about 0.75.

Preferably the ratio of disintegrating agents:lubricants (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.5 to about 7.

Lubricants:

The present tablets comprise one or more lubricants.

Lubricants may be selected from stearic acid, talc and magnesium stearate.

In preferred embodiments, the tablets of the present invention contain at least magnesium stearate, and optionally talc. Indeed, the inventors have shown that magnesium stearate is the most adapted lubricant to prevent adhesion to the tablet material to surfaces in the manufacturing process and to improve the flow characteristics of the powder material during manufacture of ulipristal acetate tablets.

Magnesium stearate may be used in combination with other lubricants or alone, in an amount comprised between 0.5 and 4 wt %.

Preferably the ratio of lubricants:other excipients (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.06.

Preferably the ratio of lubricants:ulipristal acetate (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.1 to about 2

In a particular embodiment, the ratio of croscarmellose sodium:magnesium stearate (wt %:wt %) ranges from about 0.75 to about 5, preferably about 5, or from about 1 to about 2, more preferably about 1.5 or 1.7.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferably, the tablet according to the present invention comprises lactose monohydrate as a diluent and povidone as a binding agent.

Alternatively, the tablet according to the present invention comprises mannitol and cellulose (such as microcrystalline cellulose) as diluents and does not contain any binding agent.

In a more specific embodiment, the tablet comprises: ulipristal acetate 5 to 15 wt %, lactose monohydrate 71 to 87 wt %, povidone 4.5 to 5.5 wt %, croscarmellose sodium 4.5 to 5.5 wt % and magnesium stearate 1 to 4 wt %, where the total percentage adds up to 100.

In an even more specific embodiment, the tablet comprises: ulipristal acetate 10%, lactose monohydrate 79 wt %, povidone 5 wt %, croscarmellose sodium 5 wt % and magnesium stearate 1 wt %.

In yet another specific embodiment, the tablet comprises: ulipristal acetate about 10 mg (6.7 wt %), microcrystalline cellulose about 91 mg (61 wt %), mannitol about 41 mg (27 wt %), croscarmellose sodium about 2.5 mg (1.7 wt %), talc about 4 mg (2.6 wt %) and magnesium stearate about 1.5 mg (1 wt %), where the total percentage adds up to 100.

The tablets can be prepared at a dosage of e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 mg ulipristal acetate.

Tabletting:

Tablets of the present invention may be prepared according to techniques known per se in the art. Suitable methods include direct compression (“dry blending”), dry granulation followed by compression, and wet granulation followed by drying and compression. Several methods include the use of compacting roller technology such as a chilsonator or drop roller, or molding, casting, or extrusion technologies. All of these methods are known per se in the art, and are described in detail in, for example, Lachman, et al., “The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy,” Chapter 11, (3.sup.rd Ed. 1986), which is incorporated by reference herein. The tablet according to the invention can be coated or not, and/or engraved or not.

A preferred method for producing tablets of this invention is a wet granulation process. Indeed, the inventors have shown that such a method improves the qualities of the powder before compression and reduces the size of the tablet. More particularly, the wet granulation process led to better pharmacotechnical results on blends, an improvement of compressibility characteristics and a decrease of the final tablet mass.

An object of the present invention therefore resides in a method of manufacturing an ulipristal acetate tablet, the method comprising mixing the above ingredients and ulipristal acetate and forming a tablet. In a preferred embodiment, the tablet is formed by wet granulation, especially when 10 to 30 mg ulipristal acetate tablets, more preferably 30 mg ulipristal acetate tablets are prepared.

The ingredients may be all mixed together simultaneously, or sequentially. In a typical embodiment, the diluent (e.g., lactose monohydrate), ulipristal acetate and the binding agent (e.g., povidone) are first mixed together, followed by addition of purified water. This granulation step is then followed by a drying step (e.g., in an oven at about 40° C., or on a fluidized air bed, or in a one-pot granulator). Optionally, a calibration step is then carried out, e.g., with a sieve comprised between about 600 and 850 μm, such as a 800 μm sieve or a 710 μm Frewitt sieve. Croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate are then added for the lubrication. The obtained formulation is then compressed to get the tablet (compression step). As a result of this process, croscarmellose (which is added after the granulation step) is in the external phase of the tablet, thereby allowing better disintegration and dissolution.

In the preparation of the tablets of this invention, commercial mixtures comprising diluents and binding agents may be used, such as Avicel® (microcristalline cellulose), Starlac® (lactose monohydrate 85% with maize starch 15%) or, Ludipress® (lactose monohydrate 93% with Povidone 7%).

In another embodiment, the tablet is formed by direct compression, especially when 5 or 10 mg ulipristal acetate tablets are prepared. When direct compression is conducted, the presence of a binding agent may be avoided.

An example of a direct compression method includes a blanketing step (e.g., with mannitol), then a premix step by adding ulipristal, followed by sieving, and mixing once microcrystalline cellulose and croscarmellose sodium have been added. Then comes a lubricating step by adding the other excipients (e.g., talc and magnesium stearate) before tableting. The skilled person in the art may of course adapt such steps to obtain the desired tablets.

Therapeutic Applications:

The ulipristal acetate tablets of the invention are useful in a number of therapeutic indications, including contraception, including emergency contraception.

The tablets of the invention are useful in other indications including, but being not limited to, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, uterine leiomyoma (leiomyomata), uterine fibroid, excessive uterine bleeding (menorrhagia), either idiopathic or resulting from spontaneous or iatrogenic coagulation disorders, meningioma, hormonal diseases, such as hormone-responsive cancers, endocrine hormone-dependent tumors, breast cancer and inhibition of uterine endometrial proliferation.

It is further contemplated to provide similar formulations for other antiprogestins, such as those described in international patent applications WO2008/083192 or WO2008/067086.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be disclosed in the following examples, which should be considered as illustrative and not limiting the scope of the present application.

EXAMPLES Example 1: 30 mg Ulipristal Acetate Tablet Produced by Wet Granulation

A 30 mg ulipristal acetate tablet was prepared, containing the following ingredients:

TABLE 1 Quantity for one Quantity for one Ingredients tablet (mg) tablet (wt %) Ulipristal acetate 30.00 10 Lactose Monohydrate 237.00 79 Povidone 15.00 5 Croscarmellose sodium 15.00 5 Magnesium stearate 3.00 1 Total 300.00 100

Lactose monohydrate 79 wt %, ulipristal acetate 10 wt % and povidone 5 wt % were mixed and purified water was added. This granulation step was immediately followed by a drying step in an oven at 40° C. Then, a calibration step with a Frewitt 630 m sieve was carried out. Croscarmellose sodium 5 wt % and magnesium stearate 1 wt % were added for the lubrication step. The obtained formulation is compressed to get the tablet.

Example 2: Other Ulipristal Acetate Tablets Produced by Wet Granulation

Further compositions of this invention contain the following ingredients:

TABLE 2 10 mg tablet 30 mg tablet Quantity for one Quantity for one Ingredients tablet in mg (wt %) tablet in mg (wt %) Ulipristal acetate 10.00 (10) 30.00 (10) Lactose Monohydrate 79.00 (79) 246.00 (82) Povidone 5.00 (5) 9.00 (3) Croscarmellose sodium 5.00 (5) 12.00 (4) Magnesium stearate 1.00 (1) 3.00 (1) Total 100.00 (100) 300.00 (100)

Example 3: 10 mg Ulipristal Acetate Tablet Produced by Direct Compression

A 10 mg ulipristal acetate tablet was prepared containing the following ingredients:

TABLE 3 Quantity for Quantity for one Ingredients one tablet (mg) tablet (wt %) Ulipristal acetate 10.00 6.7 Mannitol 41.00 27 Microcrystalline cellulose 91.00 61 Croscarmellose sodium 2.5 1.7 Magnesium stearate 1.5 1 Talc 4.0 2.6 Total 150.00 100

This tablet was produced by mixing mannitol and ulipristal acetate, then sieving, e.g. with a 315 μm mesh size, and adding microcrystalline cellulose and croscarmellose sodium. Talc and magnesium stearate were then added to the mixture as lubricants, and homogenized. Tabletting was achieved by direct compression of the mixture. Quantities of excipients may be adapted (for example halved or doubled) while remaining in the same proportions in wt %. Tablets with a total weight of 75, 150, 300 mg, containing 10 mg ulipristal acetate, and the same excipients as recited in Table 3 can be prepared accordingly

Example 4: Bioavailability Studies

A comparative bioavailability study of a 10 mg tablet (as prepared according to example 3) vs different ulipristal acetate capsule formulations and a study characterizing the pharmacokinetic profile have been performed. Various assay methods have been employed in the measurement of ulipristal acetate in plasma or serum, including radioimmunoassay (RIA) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Because of the presence of cross-reacting metabolites, the RIA fails to distinguish the parent ulipristal acetate from potential cross-reactive metabolites present in the circulation, and results reported using this method hence represents the sum of ulipristal acetate and its cross-reactive metabolites. The LC-MS/MS has been developed for use in menopausal and non menopausal human plasma and serum, and permits separation and determination of both ulipristal acetate and its pharmacologically active metabolite, 17α-acetoxy-11β-[4-N-methylamino-phenyl)-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione.

The comparative bioavailability study also included a re-assay of samples using the non-selective RIA, thereby providing a point of reference to which results from other studies could be compared irrespective of the analytical method employed.

Comparative bioavailability studies were performed as a pharmacokinetic bridging study between different formulations of ulipristal acetate. The formulations tested included a 10 mg capsule with micronized ulipristal acetate in 120 mg microcrystalline cellulose, and a 10 mg ulipristal acetate tablet. The experiments were carried out to compare the bioavailability and the bioequivalence of ulipristal acetate, or of its metabolites, between these two formulations. As disclosed in Table 4 below, the best absorption profile was observed for the tablet formulation with the following PK parameters (mean±SD or range): Cmax: 56.7±29.1 ng/mL, tmax: 0.63 h (mean range: 0.50-2.00 h), AUC_(0-t): 171.79±85.59 h·ng/mL.

The term ‘C_(max)’ stands for a peak of ulipristal acetate concentration in the plasma. The term ‘AUC_(0-t)’ denotes the area under the concentration time profile from 0 to time t. The term ‘SD’ refers to standard deviation.

TABLE 4 Ulipristal C_(max) AUC_(0-t) AUC_(0-∞) acetate 10 mg T_(max) (h) (ng/ml) (ng · h/ml) (ng · h/ml) Capsule Mean 1.13⁽¹⁾ 35.0 170.58 193.37 Range  0.5-3.00 15.0-64.1 53.4-291.9 62.9-315.4 SD — 20.0 84.18 96.93 CV (%) 60 57 49 50 Tablet Mean 0.63⁽¹⁾ 56.7 171.79 189.86 Range 0.50-2.00 20.7-94.5 74.3-291.7 85.7-340.7 SD — 29.1 85.59 99.90 CV (%) 63 51 50 53 ⁽¹⁾Median

The results from comparative bioavailability studies also suggest that ulipristal acetate is absorbed faster and has a greater overall bioavailability for tablet compared with the capsule. Mean C_(max) and AUC_(0-t) for ulipristal acetate was in the best cases 95% and 40% higher, respectively, after administration of the tablet compared to the capsule (see FIG. 1). This trend was also reflected in a mean C_(max) and AUC_(0-t) for the active monodemethylated metabolite, 17α-acetoxy-11β-[4-N-methylamino-phenyl)-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione, that was 92% and 25% higher, respectively, for the tablet versus the capsule.

The lipids or surfactants that are present in the capsule composition are expected to help to achieve an immediate dissolution of the compound, and to make it easier to be absorbed in both the stomach and intestine, with a preference for the intestine, i.e. the lower GIT (Gastro-Intestinal Tract). However, the results obtained by the inventors surprisingly show that, in comparison with the capsule formulation, the tablet formulation was absorbed faster, had a higher plasma concentration peak, and had a greater overall bioavailability as measured by the AUC measured in the study and extrapolated to infinity for the parent compound and metabolite.

These pharmacokinetic results demonstrate the advantages of the tablet form versus the capsule.

Example 5: Dissolution Profile for the Tablet According to Example 1

Dissolution studies were carried out using various tablets, including the tablet of example 1. The dissolution tests were conducted according to the general monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia § 2.9.3:

-   -   Paddle apparatus     -   Dissolution medium: HCl 0.1N     -   Rotation speed: 50 rpm     -   Temperature: 37° C.±0.5° C.

The results depicted in FIG. 2 show that the tablets of this invention dissolve fully and rapidly.

Example 6: Comparative Dissolution Profiles

Table 5 presents the comparative dissolution profiles of the tablets of examples 1 and 3, which contain different ratios of ingredients. The results unexpectedly show that the tablet of Example 1 has a much better dissolution profile than the tablet of example 3, illustrating the importance of the specific excipients and ratios for ulipristal acetate formulations.

TABLE 5 Comparative dissolution profiles: ulipristal acetate dissolved (%) versus time (minutes) Time (min) 0 5 10 20 30 45 60 formulation 0 80 91 95 94 94 96 of Table 1 (Example 1) formulation 0 71 83 89 91 93 93 of Table 3 (Example 3) 

1. An oral pharmaceutical tablet comprising ulipristal acetate in an amount ranging from 1 mg to 50 mg, a diluent, a disintegrating agent, and a lubricant, wherein at least 80% of ulipristal acetate present in the tablet is dissolved within about 20 minutes when said tablet is subjected to an in vitro dissolution assay in a paddle apparatus at 37° C.±0.5° C., and at pH=1.
 2. The tablet of claim 1, wherein at least 90% of ulipristal acetate present in the tablet is dissolved within about 20 minutes when the said tablet is subjected to an in vitro dissolution assay in a paddle apparatus at 37° C.±0.5° C., a rotation speed of 50 rpm, and at pH=1.
 3. The tablet of claim 1, wherein the disintegrating agent is sodium croscarmellose.
 4. The tablet of claim 1, which further comprises a binder.
 5. The tablet of claim 4, wherein the binder is a synthetic or natural polymer.
 6. The tablet of claim 5 wherein the binder is povidone and/or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.
 7. The tablet of claim 1, wherein the diluent is selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, combinations and hydrates thereof.
 8. The tablet of claim 7, wherein the diluent is selected from the group consisting of mannitol, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, hydrates thereof and combinations thereof.
 9. The tablet of claim 1, wherein the lubricant is selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, talc, magnesium stearate and combinations thereof.
 10. The tablet of claim 1, which comprises: from 1% to 18% by weight of ulipristal acetate, from 50% to 98.5% by weight of a diluent, from 0.5% to 10% by weight of a disintegrating agent, and from 0% to 10% of a lubricant.
 11. The diluent of claim 10 wherein the diluent is in an amount of 65 to 92 wt %.
 12. The tablet of claim 10, wherein the binding agent is in an amount of 1.5 to 8.5 wt %.
 13. The tablet of claim 10, wherein the disintegrating agent is in an amount of 1.5 to 8.5 wt %.
 14. The tablet of claim 10, wherein the lubricant is in an amount of 0.5 to 5 wt %.
 15. The tablet of claim 10, comprising from 5 to 30 mg of ulipristal acetate.
 16. The tablet of claim 1, which is uncoated.
 17. The tablet of claim 1, wherein ulipristal acetate is micronized.
 18. A method of manufacturing an oral ulipristal acetate tablet of claim 1, the method comprising the step of mixing the ingredients and ulipristal acetate and forming a tablet, preferably by wet granulation or by direct compression. 